A shooting on the campus of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, left two people dead and eight injured Saturday, prompting a shelter-in-place order and a large police response. The incident occurred near the university’s engineering and physics departments as students were completing final exams for the fall semester. Authorities are searching for a suspect as the examination continues, highlighting a disturbing trend of gun violence impacting educational institutions across the country.
At least two people are dead and eight others seriously injured following a shooting on the campus of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The incident has prompted a large police response and a shelter-in-place order for the Ivy League university, highlighting the ongoing issue of gun violence on American college campuses.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley announced the casualties and injuries during a press conference, stating that authorities are actively searching for the suspect. The shooting occurred near Barus & Holley, a building housing the university’s engineering and physics departments, according to a campus alert issued at 4:22 p.m. local time (Eastern Standard Time).
Brown University officials initially reported a suspect was in custody, but police quickly clarified that the individual was not involved in the shooting and has since been released. “We do not have a shooter in custody at this time, and a shelter-in-place order remains in effect,” Mayor Smiley said during the press conference.
Des policiers sont déployés sur le campus de la Brown University, à Providence, dans le Rhode Island, à la recherche d’un tireur, le 13 décembre 2025.
Photo : AP / Kimberlee Kruesi
Students and staff were instructed to shelter in place, with the university advising them to “Close doors, turn off lights, and remain hidden until further notice.” Vice Rector Francis Doyle added that students had been moved to a safe location where they could access support services. “We have transferred students to a safe location so they can benefit from support services,” he said.
Several victims were transported to Rhode Island Hospital, most in critical but stable condition. Providence City Councilor John Goncalves urged residents to remain vigilant, stating, “We ask people to lock their doors and remain alert.”
According to Deputy Police Chief Tim O’Hara, the suspect is described as a man dressed entirely in black, though it remains unconfirmed whether the individual was wearing a mask.
Des policiers et des premiers intervenants se sont rassemblés à l’angle des rues Waterman et Thayer après une fusillade à Providence, dans le Rhode Island, le samedi 13 décembre 2025.
Photo : Associated Press / Jen McDermott
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation. Public Information Officer Kristy DosReis stated that police are continuing to gather evidence at the scene, and the FBI is providing assistance.
Brown University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States, is a member of the Ivy League. The university has approximately 7,300 undergraduate students and over 3,000 graduate students.
According to the university’s website, the seven-story Barus & Holley building contains over 100 laboratories, dozens of classrooms, three lecture halls, and office space.
The shooting occurred on the second day of final exams for the fall semester. At least 70 schools across the United States have experienced shootings this year, according to available data.
With information from Agence France-Presse, the Associated Press, the BBC, and CNN
